A personal daily comment on astronomy along with space missions, NASA, observing and lots more.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Vesta Continues to Amaze.....

Hey Space Placers!

NASA has just released the very latest results of DAWN's continuing mission at Vesta, the 2nd largest asteroid in the solar system.

As related by NASA, "Spacecraft images, taken 420 miles (680 kilometers) and 130 miles (210 kilometers) above the surface of the asteroid, show a variety of surface mineral and rock patterns. Coded false-color images help scientists better understand Vesta's composition and enable them to identify material that was once molten below the asteroid's surface. ""Researchers also see breccias, which are rocks fused during impacts from space debris. Many of the materials seen by Dawn are composed of iron- and magnesium-rich minerals, which often are found in Earth's volcanic rocks. Images also reveal smooth pond-like deposits, which might have formed as fine dust created during impacts settled into low regions."

"At the Tarpeia crater near the south pole of the asteroid (pictured below), Dawn revealed bands of minerals that appear as brilliant layers on the crater's steep slopes. The exposed layering allows scientists to see farther back into the geological history of the giant asteroid. "

"The layers closer to the surface bear evidence of contamination from space rocks bombarding Vesta's surface. Layers below preserve more of their original characteristics. Frequent landslides on the slopes of the craters also have revealed other hidden mineral patterns."

"These results from Dawn suggest Vesta's 'skin' is constantly renewing," said Maria Cristina De Sanctis, lead of the visible and infrared mapping spectrometer team based at Italy's National Institute for Astrophysics in Rome."
Read More About It: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/dawn/news/dawn20120425.html

About Me

I love to study and observe the Universe, especially the Moon and asteroids. I do so by intellectual study and the use of telescopes. I also study meteorites. These rocks from space let me touch the Moon, Mars and asteroids - Wow! I conduct education and outreach on our Universe and the exploration of it. I lecture on cruise ships and
I am a NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador, appear on TV and radio. You can follow my weekly column at WTOP http://www.wtop.com/?nid=903&sid=2281114. All views and opinions are my own.